I have to say No on South Seas at this point. It is just opening this month after being shut down since hurricane Charley in August 2004. Much of the resort is still under construction/renovation and it has just been sold. Way too many ifs at this point.

I recommend LaPlaya in Naples. Very romantic setting, sunset dinners or at least cocktails, lovely spa,etc. etc.

LMF

Personally, I wouldn't honeymoon in South Beach. Sure, it has some great hotels and some great restaurants. But it's more a singles/pickup scene than a romantic, intimate setting. I guess it depends on what you want, but watching people strutting around in all stages of dress and undress trying to impress and/or meet each other just doesn't say "honeymoon" to me. <shrug>

Naples!

Yes it has a reputation of "just old people" but visit there once and you will see how much that has changed! I moved there when I was 11 and 19 years later I hardly recognize it!

There are several nice resorts from the Ritz to the Registry (not on the Gulf but a beautiful tram ride through the mangroves away)and also a nearby brand new Hyatt.

Things to do?

Go to South Naples for art galleries, boutiques, neat resurants like Tommy Bahamas.

Stroll around the shops of 5th Ave& 3rd street

walk the pier at sunset& watch the pelicans dive for fish,

rent your own boat & take it out into the back waters, anchor it on a bank and have a picnic all the while searching for manatees and dolphins.... they ARE there

WOW! I think I have convinced myself to move back!

Good luck and let us know, please email me if I can answer any ?

:)Ruby


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Thanks for the suggestions....keep them coming!

To clarify, we're already married and we just want to "get away" and take trip. We're from the midwest and we've never gone to FL before.

We want to avoid Orlando/Disney World area: we'll go there some time later (maybe with the kiddies). So we just want to take a nice little trip to relax and get away.

We want to go next month in April.

We don't like "clubbing" or the college-singles scene. I guess I shouldn't have used the word "trendy." But at the same time, we don't want to go anywhere "boring." I guess a nice mix is what we want.

It sounds like Naples is nice. What airport is that close to? Are major cities within driving distance? How far is Naples from Key West?

Thanks and keep the suggestions coming!

Naples is just 90 miles from Key West, unfortunately that is due south across the water and expensive to fly. The drive would be a good 5 to 6 hours.

Naples has a small airport, but very limited Delta service; RSW at Ft. Myers is the closest major airport -- about an hour drive at most into downtown Naples from there. Or you can fly to FT. Lauderdale and drive 1 1/2 to 2 hours to Naples. If you can get a nonstop from your city to Ft. Lauderdale rather than to Ft. Myers and, I think it's better, especially if it's also cheaper.

You need to book hotels if you are picky. Most are fully booked for early April through Easter. If you come the last of April, that could be good.

By the way, I read a report just last week that says in 2000 the median age in Naples was 61. It is now 44. That's a big change in a short time.

If you go to the Ft. Myers/Sanibel area, there's a high speed catamaran out of Ft. Myers that will run you down to Key West for the day for around $80 r/t. That way, you could sample both areas.

I def. suggest Fort Lauderdale area or South Beach. South Beach is really nice but it gets too crowded for my taste. I am so big on Fort Lauderdale that it is more chill and laid back than Miami. Riverwalk /Las Olas area of Fort Lauderdale offer more than enough club and bar options. Never been to Naples but heard it was really nice there. My sister went to Naples with her husband two years ago and really enjoyed it.

No one has mentioned Amelia Island? It is on the North East coast of Florida. It is a quaint, beautiful area with a historic downtown, good restaurants etc.The beach is nice and it is also on the intra-coastal waterway if you are interested in fishing etc.
About 1.5 hours south is St. Augustine if you wanted to rent a car and do a day trip,or spend 2 nights there.
You can fly into Jacksonville. Amelia island is about 40 minutes from the airport. The city on the island is also Fernandina Beach and people use the names interchangeably.
There is a Ritz on the beach, as well as many B&Bs in the town itself (2 miles from the beach, but near the restaurants).